Manchester United - Fulham Betting Preview: Hosts to lead at half-time in comfortable cup win

By William Duncan

Both sides suffered scares in their respective third round ties, but Willie Duncan is backing the hosts to enjoy a routine victory over Martin Jol's men

Both Manchester United and Fulham came perilously close to crashing out of this year’s FA Cup at the first hurdle earlier this month, but it is Sir Alex Ferguson's men who are hot favourites to book their place in the fifth round of the competition when they meet at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.

Robin van Persie rescued Manchester United in the third round with a stoppage time equaliser against West Ham United at Upton Park, before the Premier League leaders prevailed in a replay and they are chalked up at 3/10 (1.30) with Paddy Power to go through at the first time of asking by defeating the Londoners this weekend.

Martin Jol’s Fulham were comfortably beaten in Manchester last weekend as they slipped to a 2-0 Premier League defeat at the hands of United’s rivals, Manchester City, and the west London club are chalked up at a chunky 8/1 (9.0) with Paddy Power to shock Sir Alex Ferguson’s side here.

Former United striker Dimitar Berbatov will be hoping to make the headlines against his former employers and should the Bulgarian striker score at any time, Paddy Power will refund all first goalscorer, last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast singles on the match.

The Cottagers scored late goals in both the original tie and subsequent replay to deny Blackpool a famous victory in the third round and Martin Jol will be hoping that the fighting spirit displayed by his side against the Seasiders will stand them in good stead here.

This assignment, though, looks far tougher for an out-of-sorts Fulham side that has not enjoyed a victory at Old Trafford since October 2003.

It is worth noting that United have led at half-time in nine of their 13 domestic matches on home turf this season, including their last three outings and Paddy Power’s 8/11 (1.72) quote for the Red Devils to lead at half-time and full-time represents outstanding value.

Those seeking bigger prices may be tempted by Paddy Power’s correct score market and it is the 11/2 (6.50) quote from the Irish bookmakers for Manchester United to enjoy a routine 2-0 victory which offers the value with the added bonus of the bet being refunded if it loses but Dimitar Berbatov scores a goal.

Willie Duncan is a freelance sports journalist. Willie, from Edinburgh, has covered Scottish football for over 10 years and he specialises in football betting markets from across Europe. You can also follow Willie on Twitter